NCAA investigates Tennessee Volunteers football over use of recruiting hostesses

The NCAA has launched a "wide-ranging investigation" into the recruiting practices of Tennessee football, according to an article in The New York Times. LINK!

College football's governing body is concerned that Tennessee has been using the university's recruiting hostesses inappropriately to lure top high school football players to Tennessee. Tennessee Internet message boards, which credited Tennessee's hostesses for influencing some top recruits, helped fuel rumors that recruiting violations were possibly being committed. Three of Florida's top football prospects are among the high school recruits who have been contacted by the NCAA: Ted Meline of North Miami Beach, Chris Dunkley of Pahokee and Christian Jones of Winter Park Lake Howell.

Tennessee has self-reported six secondary recruiting violations since Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin was hired in December 2008. It is rare for the NCAA to investigate high school players before they even commit to a school. (Yes, a small part of me thinks the NCAA has it out for loudmouth Kiffin.)

One has to wonder whether or not Tennessee running backs/special teams coach Eddie Gran left Tennessee before things heated up with the NCAA. Gran was hired earlier this week by Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, who will officially take over for Bobby Bowden after the Gator Bowl. Gran was an assistant at Tennessee for one season before leaving the Vols for FSU for a similar position. Gran will coach running backs and special teams at FSU. He was an assistant at Auburn before leaving for Tennessee and built a strong reputation in South Florida as a recruiter while with the Tigers. Gran is the person who lured Pahokee receiver Nu'Keese Richardson away from the Gators.